Article 011 - New Energy Designs for Houses

New Energy Designs for Houses.

 

Problem.

There is one problem that will affect everyone in the World.

The age of cheap energy will decline after the year 2020.

From 2020 the world wide oil supply will reduce.

Parallel to this reduction in oil supply will be a reduction, year by year, in our society’s ability to extract, manufacture, transport, communicate, sell and purchase resources at previous economic levels.

Consumer goods based on petroleum bi-products will become scarce and then unavailable.

 

Architecture must produce new solutions to these changes.

 

The pre 2007 2 storey 3 Bedroom 4 Person House ( 2st3B4P )

The current house form reduces the use of passive heating, cooling and lighting systems through poor orientation on its site.

The current house form has a large surface area, area and volume.

The current house form is based on large, mostly under used, land plots.

The current house form uses mass manufactured, high energy production materials.

The current house form takes no account of the predicted rises in carbon dioxide levels.

The current house form has all appliances connected to a national power grid system.

This grid generates, and does not store but wastes, trillions of watts of energy a day.

The energy use of a pre 2007, 2storey 3Bedroom 4 Person House ( 2st3B4P ) achieves approx. 87m2 = 87 x 51 kwh/m²/yr = 4500 kwh/yr.

Source: BERR Energy Trends December 2007 www.berr.gov.uk/files

 

Proposed Architectural Design Solutions

Use site orientation to take advantage of passive heating, cooling and lighting systems.

Reduce the building surface area, area, volume, services, appliances, materials and carbon footprint.

Replace any land lost by the construction of the building by living walls around and over the new building form.

Increase green external surface area and internal surface area with green walls to combat increased carbon dioxide levels.

The energy use of a post 2020, peak oil, 2storey 3 Bedroom 4 Person House ( 2st3B4P) must achieve approx. 87m2 = 87 x 30 kWh/m²/yr = 2610 kwh/yr

Source:  EU low energy house standards.

 

The national grid is being decommissioned from 2012 up to 2050 in the UK and power shortages are also likely from 2015 onwards in the UK. The house must therefore be designed to maximize autonomy.

The new house form must have all of its appliances connected to a localized, autonomous power system that outputs, and stores, sufficient watts of energy to power its users needs.

 

The New House Form Areas allowing for the required European Union Energy use.

1B1P          = 37m² = 37m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 1110 kwh/yr

1B2P          = 50m² = 50m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 1500 kwh/yr

2B3P          = 61m² = 61m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 1830 kwh/yr

2B4P          = 70m² = 70m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 2100 kwh/yr

3B4P          = 74m² = 74m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 2220 kwh/yr

2st2B4P     = 83m² = 83m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 2490 kwh/yr

2st3B4P     = 87m² = 87m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 2610 kwh/yr

2st3B5P     = 96m² = 96m² x 30kWh/m²/yr = 2880 kwh/yr

 

The New House Form Energy system

Utilizing a minimal solar photovoltaic power system releases the house from the defunct national grid. The photovoltaic system comprises.

A bank of 200 watt, glass fronted mono-crystalline type photovoltaic panels.

A bank of 12v, 90/110Ah, 1320 watt leisure batteries, wired in parallel,

A battery bank recharge rate of 2 days allowing for 15% efficiency at a rate of approx. 30 watts.

Battery bank switching carried out on a daily basis.

Battery discharge allowance before recharging of  50%

Total battery bank recharge cycle, and storage, 5 days.

A photovoltaic charge control regulator could also be included to allow the battery system to re-charge unattended at 200W/12v = 16.6 Amps.

 

The New House Form Area with the Number of Photovoltaic Panels Needed

Allowing for 8 - 16 hours maximum daylight per day per year in Britain.

Assume 10 hours of daylight per day average in Britain

Assume 200 watt photovoltaic panels to allow for economic production (less than 4kwh to manufacture per photovoltaic panel)

 

(Original pre 2007 2st3B4P house type for comparison)

4500 kwh/yr = 12kwh/day = 12kwh/day/10hrs = 1.2kwh/day = 1200 watts

= 6 x 200watt panels.

 

New House Forms

1B1P

1110 kwh/yr = 3kwh/day, 3kwh/day/10hrs = 0.3kwh/day = 300 watts

= 2 x 200watt panels

1B2P

1500 kwh/yr = 4kwh/day, 4kwh/day/10hrs = 0.4kwh/day =  400 watts

= 2 x 200watt panels   

2B3P

1830 kwh/yr = 5kwh/day, 5kwh/day/10hrs = 0.5kwh/day = 500 watts

= 3 x 200watt panels

2B4P

2100 kwh/yr = 6kwh/day, 6kwh/day/10hrs = 0.6kwh/day = 600 watts

= 3 x 200watt panels

3B4P

2220 kwh/yr = 6kwh/day, 6kwh/day/10hrs = 0.6kwh/day = 600 watts

 = 3 x 200watt panels

2st2B4P

2490 kwh/yr = 7kwh/day, 7kwh/day/10hrs = 0.7kwh/day = 700 watts

= 4 x 200watt panels

2st3B4P

2610 kwh/yr = 8kwh/day, 8kwh/day/10hrs = 0.8kwh/day = 800 watts

= 4 x 200watt panels

2st3B5P

2880 kwh/yr = 8kwh/day, 8kwh/day/10hrs = 0.8kwh/day = 800 watts

= 4 x 200watt panels

 

The New House Form Area with Battery Storage Type and Number Needed.

(Original pre 2007 2st3B4P house type for comparison)

4500 kwh/yr  = 12kwh/day = 12000 watts/day /12v = 1000Ah/day = 2000Ah/day storage allowance = 18/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

 

New House Forms

1B1P

1110 kwh/yr = 3kwh/day = 3000 watts/day / 12v = 250Ah/day = 500Ah/day storage allowance = 5/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

1B2P

1500 kwh/yr = 4kwh/day = 4000 watts/day / 12v = 333Ah/day = 700Ah/day storage allowance  = 6/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

2B3P

1830 kwh/yr = 5kwh/day = 5000 watts/day /12v = 417Ah/day = 900Ah/day storage allowance  = 8/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

2B4P

2100 kwh/yr = 6kwh/day = 6000 watts/day / 12v = 500 Ah/day = 1000 Ah/day storage allowance  = 9/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

3B4P

2220 kwh/yr = 6kwh/day = 6000 watts/day / 12v = 500 Ah/day = 1000 Ah/day storage allowance  = 10/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

2st2B4P

2490 kwh/yr = 7kwh/day = 7000 watts/day / 12v = 583 Ah/day = 1200 Ah/day storage allowance  = 11/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

2st3B4P

2610 kwh/yr = 7kwh/day = 7000 watts/day / 12v = 583 Ah/day = 1200 Ah/day storage allowance  =11/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

2st3B5P

2880 kwh/yr = 8kwh/day = 8000 watts / day / 12v = 666 Ah/day = 1400 Ah/day storage allowance  = 13/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

 

Appliances used in pre 2007 house if powered off a battery bank.

(Original pre 2007 2st3B4P, 87m² house type for comparison)

4500 kwh/yr  = 12kwh/day = 12000 watts/day /12v = 1000Ah/day = 2000Ah/day storage allowance energy needed and or used from national grids for appliances.

or

4500 kwh/yr  = 12kwh/day = 12000 watts/day /12v = 1000Ah/day = 2000Ah/day storage allowance = 18/110Ah batteries trickle charged in parallel.

 

Appliance                 Wattage

Fridge                         300 watts

Freezer                       300 watts

Lights                          1500 watts

Shower                       4000 watts

Immersion heater       3000 watts

Plasma tv                   400 watts

LCD tv                        100 watts

Vcr/dvd/cd                  100 watts

Pc laptop                    100 watts

Kettle                          3000 watts

Dishwasher                3000 watts

Washing machine      2500 watts

Tumble dryer              2500 watts

Mower                        1200 watts

Iron                              1200 watts

Oil filled radiator         1400 watts

Toaster                       1400 watts

Deep fryer                   2000 watts

Cooker                                   gas

 

Total wattage needed 28000 watts

Available allowance 12000 watts / day allowing for 50% battery discharge.

 

Clearly this is indicating that there are to many appliances in use in current homes causing a greater power input into the home and a larger generation capacity needed for the country.

 

Minimum possible Appliances used in post 2020 house if powered off a battery bank.

Appliance                 wattage         maximum use before batteries drained

 

Electric ring main                              Redundant artefact due to material, copper,

                                                       resource depletion.

                                           Redundant artefact due to copper peak

                                             resource level being attained in 2024.

Fridge                         N/A                 Redundant artefact. Replaced by

                                                          passive evaporation refrigeration and larder                                                           or food obtained in dried form.

Freezer                       N/A                 Redundant artefact. Passive

                                                          evaporation refrigeration and larder or food

                                                          obtained in dried form.

Lights                          N/A                 Redundant artefact. Passive lighting and

                                                           backed up with portable photovoltaic

                                                           LED lights carried by the occupier to

                                                          wherever they need them.

Heated Shower         N/A                   Passive solar shower and added to by

                                                           water from hob and portable, battery

                                                           immersion heater when needed.

Immersion heater      50 watts           Reduced size emersion heater.

                                                          Water heated when needed in smaller

                                                          quantities.

                                                        Possibly heated only to luke warm levels.

Plasma tv                   N/A                  Redundant artefact. Appliance to be

                                                           photovoltaic charged, portable workpad

                                                           with streaming wireless

                                                           TV or internet and autonomous

                                                           photovoltaic trickle charging.

LCD tv                        N/A                  Redundant artefact. Appliance to

                                                           be photovoltaic charged, portable

                                                           workpad with streaming wireless

                                                           TV or internet and autonomous 

                                                           photovoltaic trickle charging.

Vcr/dvd/cd                  N/A                  Redundant artefacts. Appliance

                                                            to be photovoltaic charged,

                                                            portable workpad with streaming

                                                            wireless TV or internet and

                                                            autonomous photovoltaic trickle

                                                            charging.

Pc laptop                    N/A                  Appliance to be photovoltaic

                                                            charged, portable workpad

                                                            with streaming wireless TV or  internet and

                                                            autonomous photovoltaic trickle charging.

Kettle                          N/A                  Redundant artefact. Appliance to be

                                                            portable.

                                                            Smaller wattage element to heat

                                                            smaller volume of water. Alt. pan over hob.

                                                            Alt portable heater in pan.

Dishwasher                N/A                  Redundant artefact. Hand washing or

                                                           manual powered hand wash tub used.

Washing machine      N/A                   Redundant artefact. Hand washing or

                                                           manual washing machine used.

Tumble dryer              N/A                  Redundant artefact. Passive

                                                            external drying line.

Mower                        N/A                  Redundant artefact. Garden is a living wall

                                                           on building growing plants to reduce

                                                            carbon dioxide levels and improve air

                                                            locally and also vegetables and edible

                                                            plants as food. 

Iron                            N/A                   Redundant artefact.

Oil filled radiator        N/A                   Redundant artefact. Oil will  reduce after

                                                            2020 as a fuel source and increase in cost.

Toaster                       N/A                   Redundant artefact. Hob used as an

                                                            alternative or stove.

Deep fryer                  N/A                   Redundant artefact.

Cooker hob                700 watts      

Cooker                       N/A                   Redundant artefact. No gas or electric

                                                            mains supply.

                                                            Passive, portable, thermal slow cooker

                                                            used instead.

Sink                            N/A                  Cold water only. Hot water from in line

                                                            immersion heater.

Plastic recycling unit 1400 watts         Possible but only used at peak time in

                                                            battery charge rate.

                                                            Plastic also picked up by local authority

                                                            and transported into town located recycling

                                                             unit.

3d printer

= 24v - 6.25 amps     125 watts          Possible but only used at peak

                                                            time in battery charge rate. 

                                                            Very important to allow transfer of

                                                            manufacturing into  home and reduce

                                                            secondary building construction, running

                                                            costs.

                                                            Individual manufacturing by printing all

                                                             needs.

                               

This list of appliances is better but still indicates a staggered use for the heavier duty appliances such as the 3d printer and the plastic recycling unit.

 

Total wattage 2275 watts 

Allowance  3000 watts /day /allowing for 50% battery discharge.

 

Summary:

The number of current house appliances, when running them off mains grid or battery bank, allowing for 12000 watts/day before 50% discharge of the battery bank, is to great.

If the same type and area of house is run at the European Union energy levels, allowing for 7000 watts/day before 50% discharge of the battery bank, then the number of current appliances must be reduced.

In addition if the minimum house area of 1 Bedroom, 1 Person, 37m2 habitat is run at the European Union energy levels, allowing for 3000 watts/day before 50% discharge of the battery bank, then the number of current appliances must be reduced still further.

 

From this data it can be established that the house energy use, area, battery provision, photovoltaic panel provision, appliance type and appliance use must be matched to allow the home to function.

 

The existing houses cannot be used at the original energy consumption levels they were designed for in 2007.

 

The existing appliances cannot be manufactured, transported, purchased and installed in homes at the previous consumer levels pre to 2007.

 

The amount of energy used by homes must reduce and continue to reduce.

The amount of home appliances must reduce and continue to reduce.

 

The refurbishment of the existing property into highly insulated, photovoltaic collection, battery storage habitats is unfeasible since it will use more natural resources, manufacturing, transport, installation, and energy. The refurbishment of current property as a policy to reduce energy is also unsustainable on economic grounds.

Suburban development beyond a 1 mile radius should be reconsidered as unsuitable since it promotes energy loss resource depletion and environmental depletion.

 

The existing homes must be left as they are or demolished and the population moved closer to sustainable energy sources and resources.

 

The new habitats must at least meet EU standards of using lower energy.

The new habitats must be a minimal surface area, volume and area.

The new habitats must change Form through a change of need and function and optimization.

 

Primary Recommendations

Use the site orientation to take advantage of passive heating, cooling and lighting systems.

Reduce the building surface area, area, volume, services, appliances, materials and carbon footprint.

The area and volume of the habitat must be further reduced below 37m² to include and provide power to basic food storage, preparation, cooking, washing, sanitary, health, sleeping and communications requirements.

This will be needed because of the ongoing reduction in energy availability, oil and natural element resources that are reaching their peak level on the Earth after the year 2020.

Replace any land lost by the construction of the building by living walls around and over the new building form.

Increase green external surface area and internal surface area with green walls to combat increased carbon dioxide levels.

 

The energy use of a post 2020, peak oil, 2storey 3 Bedroom 4 Person House (2st3B4P) must achieve approx. 87m2 = 87 x 30 kWh/m²/yr = 2610 kWh/yr

Source: EU low energy house standards

 

The national grid is being decommissioned from 2012 up to 2050 in Britain and power shortages are also likely from 2015 onwards in Britain.

The house must therefore be designed to maximize autonomy.

The new house form must have all of its appliances connected to a localized, autonomous power system that outputs, and stores, sufficient watts of energy to power its users needs.

The new house must reduce its appliances.

 

Secondary Recommendations

Reduce energy requirement of all homes, existing and new.

Do not build new homes unless absolutely needed.

Reduced the existing home plan area and volume.

Reduced the existing home carbon footprint.

Replace existing site area of building by food producing, water collecting, green areas.

Increase the external surface area of existing buildings with green walls to combat predicted carbon dioxide levels.

Remove the existing pitched roof areas and create a roof garden.

Increase passive heating, cooling, lighting systems in existing property.

Reduce water heating and cooking systems in existing property.

Do not thermally insulate the existing properties to higher and higher standards as this has a high resource depletion and a high manufacturing, transportation and installation energy cost.

Thermally insulate, heat and cool  the humans not the buildings not the buildings they inhabit by changing clothing.

Do not retain national power grid connections and allow for decommissioning of national grid up to 2050.

Do not install electrical systems in new properties.

Do not install central heating systems in new properties.

Do not install water heating systems in new properties.

Retain water mains national grid connection in all properties.

Retain sewage mains sewage national grid connection in all properties.

Allow for photovoltaic panel battery, inverter costs and install minimal system.

Combine all mobile appliances with mobile photovoltaic chargers.

Provide an alternative option for heating up hot water and food linked to the battery system.

Use a thermal container to slow cook or keep warm food for up to 8 hours.

Provide passive food cooling and dry food storage areas instead of freezers and fridges.

 

This is a new Architecture. The Architecture of Need not want and Desire.

 

Ian K Whittaker

Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com

 

30/06/2013

14/10/2020

2613  words over 9 pages